Villa Buonvisi has its name from the Buonvisi family who were a big and powerful family in Lucca. The family made their wealth in bank industry and silk trade and became one of Lucca's most influential and wealthy families between the 13th and 17th century. The family owned as many as 20 villas, palaces and farms within and around Lucca's city walls. After carefully searching for a place with good cultivation and hunting opportunities, they found the perfect spot on the southwestern slopes outside Lucca. And during the mid 15th century, the Buonvisi family began building the Villa Buonvisi estate, planting olive trees and vines. And so It became one of the family's summer and hunting residences.  

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The Buonvisi family sold the villa in the early 19th century and then there have been different owners of  the villa and it was also fortified by the Germans during World War II. It is also said that Napoleon sometimes visited Villa Buonvisi as his sister, Elisa Bonaparte princess of Lucca and grand duchess of Tuscany, lived just a stones throw away from Buonvisi. 

We love all about Villa Buonvisi's unique, 500 year old history, it gives the villa so much charm. We are passionate to preserve that history and sharing it with our guests. We hope you will love it as much as we do.